> delta | diff | compress <
// Delta Encoding - Store differences instead of absolute values
Sequential Data
Optimized for data with small variations between consecutive values.
Multiple Variants
Simple, XOR, and ZigZag delta encoding methods available.
Space Efficient
Reduces bit width requirements for sequential data.
>> technical info
How Delta Encoding Works:
Delta encoding stores the first value, then the differences between consecutive values. This transforms slowly changing data into small numbers that compress well. XOR delta uses bitwise XOR instead of subtraction. ZigZag encoding maps signed integers to unsigned for better compression.
Delta Examples:
Simple Delta: [100, 102, 107, 110, 108] → [100, 2, 5, 3, -2] XOR Delta: [15, 14, 12, 8, 0] → [15, 1, 2, 4, 8] ZigZag Delta: [10, 8, 12, 9] → [10, -2, 4, -3] → [10, 3, 8, 5] (encoded)
Why Use Delta Encoding:
- >Time series compression
- >Sensor data storage
- >Audio/video encoding
- >Database compression
- >Network protocols
>> frequently asked questions
What is delta encoding?
Delta encoding is a data compression technique that stores differences between sequential data values instead of the values themselves. It's effective when consecutive values are similar, as the differences are smaller and require fewer bits.
Simple vs XOR delta?
Simple delta uses subtraction (current - previous), while XOR delta uses bitwise XOR. XOR delta is reversible without overflow concerns and works well for data with similar bit patterns. Simple delta is more intuitive for numeric sequences.
What is ZigZag encoding?
ZigZag encoding maps signed integers to unsigned in a way that preserves small absolute values. It encodes -1 as 1, 1 as 2, -2 as 3, etc. This makes small negative numbers compress as well as small positive ones.
When is delta encoding effective?
Delta encoding works best with: sorted lists, time series data, sequential IDs, gradually changing sensor readings, audio samples, and any data where adjacent values are correlated.